Opinion page editor Rick Holmes and other writers blog about national politics and issues. Holmes & Co. is a Blog for Independent Minds, a place for a free-flowing discussion of policy, news and opinion. This blog is the online cousin of the Opinion
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Opinion page editor Rick Holmes and other writers blog about national politics and issues. Holmes & Co. is a Blog for Independent Minds, a place for a free-flowing discussion of policy, news and opinion. This blog is the online cousin of the Opinion section of the MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass. As such, our focus starts there and spreads to include Massachusetts, the nation and the world. Since successful blogs create communities of readers and writers, we hope the \x34& Co.\x34 will also come to include you.

While I was in court today, I heard a great story about an 89 year old man in Detroit, Leo Sharp, who was arrested for working as a drug mule. When asked why he was involved in this activity, he replied that he need the money. Now, here’s a guy, in his late 80s, war veteran and everything, who demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit that makes America great. He isn’t sitting at home sucking down government money or living off public health care or otherwise engaging in demeaning activity more characteristic of slavery than citizenship. Instead, he found an opportunity at a late time in life in which he could work, earn his own way. Its really refreshing to hear of such a thing in a day and age when living off the government trough isn’t considered a crime, but having one is.